anyone here chew tobacco?? I like it a lot, but exactly how unsafe is it?

Answer 1

Unlike the above responses, the reality is that chewing tobacco causes health problems at a rate of 5% of that of smoking. So you have 1/20th the chance of developing problems as you do with smoking.

However, the problems that can arise from chewing tobacco have a significantly higher mortality rate.

You need to look at why you enjoy it. Most likely you have the oral urges to keep you mouth busy, which tobacco relieves. If you use it for a stress reduction technique, the nicotine is what accomplishes that (it also causes stress during withdrawl).

I would recommend you switch to a non-tobacco substitute, which can provide the same enjoyment minus the tobacco and nicotine. I recommend Hooch Snuff, which you can get at http://www.hoochsnuff.com/ or you can find your own based on your preferences at http://www.herbalsnuff.net/.

Answer 2

I smoked for a long time, still do. I chewed for about 3 months Copenhagen Longcut. My dentist could tell after only that long that I had been chewing, and I developed Leucoplakia which has since gone away but it was scary (precancerous mouth disorder of the gums) it is VERY unsafe. Both doctor and dentist said if I was going to use nicotine I had to smoke it. So it's now just me and my Camel Filters. I reccomind not using tobacco at ALL though

Answer 3

In 1986, the US Surgeon General concluded that the use of smokeless tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes or cigars because these products cause various cancers and non-cancerous conditions. They can also lead to nicotine addiction. In fact, research shows that teens who use spit tobacco are more likely to become smokers.

The most serious health effect of spit tobacco is an increased risk of cancer of the mouth and pharynx (throat). These cancers occur several times more often among snuff dippers compared with non-tobacco users.

Other harmful health effects of chewing tobacco and snuff include:

* addiction to nicotine
* leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can lead to cancer)
* gum recession (peeling back of gums)
* bone loss around the teeth
* abrasion of teeth
* staining of teeth
* bad breath

Answer 4

Chewing tobacco is really bad for you. It causes lots of complications. There is the problem of the gum disease that is causes that causes your teeth to fall out. Then there's the problem of how badly it stains your teeth and eats away at your tooth enamel which causes them to rot out. Then there's the problem of mouth cancer. The cure for this of course is to cut away the part of the mouth that gets infected with the cancer. And that's just some of the problems associated with chewing tobacco.

Answer 5

Cancer of the mouth and throat are many times, the end result of chewing tobacco. Knock it off now, that is, if you want to see life on the other side of forty.

Answer 6

I believe it causes cancer at approximately the same rate that smoking tobacco causes. The cancers are a bit different though. It can cause cancer of the mouth and jaw. The solution? Removal of the lower jaw. Very disfiguring.

Enjoy your chew.

Answer 7

very unsafe...you can get mouth and throat cancer. i used to work in the dental field and we had a 16 yo guy in who had only been chewing for a year, he had white spots all over his gums and cheeks. (this can be the beginning of a type of mouth cancer)
we sent him in for a biopsy and they found it was indeed cancer and ended up having to remove much of his lower jaw and cheek. besides chewing stains your teeth, makes your breath stink and will make you virtually unkissable.

Answer 8

For women, breast cancer is a significant danger. For everybody, oral cancer (mouth cancer) is dangerous and usually occurs in people over fifty years old. But it is addictive and younger people who use it will probably still use it when over fifty. Other mouth diseases (like gingivitis) can result. Users of smokeless tobacco should stop immediately.

Answer 9

I do, and it has the same destructive factors as cigarettes, cigars, etc...no tobacco product is safe...it will, if used long enough, cause mouth, stomach, problems...

Answer 10

chewing tobacco is worse than smoking a cigarette